Any motorbike riders here? First time rider advice.

[pcstru]

foofigterjim RoSPA Gold rider since 2005.

Wow. Respect.

[IrritableTech]

Don't buy Chinese, or anything odd. It will have NO resale value next week, never mind when you've had time to pass your test and move on to a bigger bike. Loath I am to say it (mine's Italian) go for a Japanese bike.

 

Yes, theoretically a 2 stroke will give more power, but in real-world riding, I doubt you'll notice.

 

GET SOME TRAINING! Then get some more*. CBT is laughably easy if you have any road sense at all. Passing the Modules is more complex than getting a full car licence, but I doubt it will really lead to better riders.

 

Buy decent protective kit. Helmet doesn't have to be expensive, but look for 5* Sharp rating. Don't go out in jeans, trainers and a tee shirt. SQUID = Stupid, Quick, Under-dressed & Imminently Dead.

 

Beware forgetting to cancel your indicators; my instructor nearly got squished when out in front of me.

 

*Local plod or firebrigade may do Bike Safe sessions. Lots of fun, and worth every penny; perhaps best suited to someone with a few months riding under their belt.

 

This is great advice - especially the decent protective kit and make sure you wear it every single time. You can be hurt just as easily when you're 'just nipping down the road'. Buy new, not second hand - you can't know it's history. Hein Gerike is expensive, but places like J&S have some cheaper brands worth looking at.

 

If you haven't booked your CBT yet, get some recommendations from local bikers. The one I went on was brilliant. Ask them all the questions that are popping into your head - they'll be full of information and very willing to talk about it if they're any good.

 

If you already drive cars start adjusting your driving style - look further ahead and expect anything to happen. Assume everyone is going to pull out in front of you so you're prepared when they do. You need to ride motorbikes defensively.

 

Enjoy it - it's great fun.

[Neil-Millgate]

Do it. Do it now. Riding through all the wind, raind, snow, hail, floods will make you a better rider and give you a greater appreciation for the dry sunny days. Nothing more exhilerating than riding to work with ice on the inside of your visor.

 

Make sure you get a good deal on the bike at this time of year too.

 

I have been off my bike twice - once through not paying attention, once through a car driver not paying attention. Still the most exciting thing I have in my life.

 

Another vote for the Hyosungs - the mrs had one for 3 years and it stood up well and was a bargain at £900 for a 6mth old one.

 

Once you have done your CBT get some proper lessons, get RoSPA'd or IAM'd and go for it.

[detjo]

Good for you.

 

Tips I learnt during my time:

1. Wear HiViz vest/jacket to ensure you are seen

2. Avoid riding over white paint markings and drain covers as much as possible - they can be very slippery.

3. stay away from bus stops - they are generally very slippery with diesel etc.

4. Do not get into arguments with cars - its not worth it. No matter how frustrated yu might be with them sometimes!

5. The lifesaver is taught for a reason - USE IT!

 

Enjoy!

[Andrew_C]

Buy new, not second hand - you can't know it's history.

Definitly for lids; but I'd not worry too much abot other stuff. In fact, most of mine came from ebay. Gave up buying boots on line, but a full set of leathers for £35? Decent fabric would be a better bet at this time of year, size up so you can get a fleece on as well. The two worst things are cold hands, and sitting in a puddle. You cannot buy* over trousers that keep that puddle out. Glove liners are good, as are over-mits, but heated grips are the mut's.

 

 

 

*OK - I've never found

[theriver]

I'm a mere pedal cyclist, but I *think* this advice is good for motorbikes too: be especially aware at junctions. Motorists seem to be particularly bad at looking right before turning, there's a blind spot in the pillar between the windshield and the side window and as a bike you present little surface area to be seen (this is why detjo's advice about hi-vis is great.). As you're approaching, look at the driver's front wheels and head. If they don't look at you, they've *certainly* not seen you.

 

All of the bike accidents I've known friends to have have been crossing junctions, and I've had a couple of nasty near misses in the same way.

 

On the subject of gear - Ride magazine used to do destruction tests between different bits of clothing, do they still do that?

[unixman_again]

Back in the 1990s there was a motorbike shop where I'm from in Australia, where you could trade in your old helmet and get $10 off a new one. I once asked the bloke who ran it what he did with the $10 helmets and he said "I sell them to guys with $10 heads".

[Chris_Cook]

What everyone else has said. I've been riding a scooter for about 3 years and its great. I ride about 3 miles to work every day. It takes me about a 1/3rd of the time as on the bus, and costs about the same when spread out over 5 years.

 

Be prepared to have an accident. It will probably happen at some point. There are so many selfish and rubbish drivers out there. I meet at least one every day. I'm pretty sure some of them are trying to kill me - there is no other explanation for some of the driving I see. Get some protective gear. It makes so much difference. It still hurts with it all on, but you don't get all the cuts and bruises when you go scraping along the road on your face/backside. I've come of about 3 times now, usually on the way to work in the morning when I'm thinking about something else and not focused on the road.

 

I got a honda pcx 125 from the local dealership. They've looked after me well. They do finance offers so you can spread the cost over 3 years. I was also able to get the other gear included on the finance which was worth it.

 

If you have the option to do the cbt and any other training then its worth it for the experience. You have to do the cbt anyway.

[laserblazer]

I took my motorbike test in August 1965 a few days after my 16th birthday. It was in Trowbridge and there were no traffic lights and one zebra crossing. The examiner was on foot and he told me to ride up the road, go right around the block and return to him, when he raised his clipboard I was to do an emergency stop. The road was a row of terraced houses and I took two lefts so I was going down the parallel road and there was the examiner, clipboard raised. He must have ducked through one of the houses. I certainly wasn't expecting to see him there, which I guess was the point.

 

Stupid thing is, even though I've hardly ridden a bike in 45 years, I could walk into a Kawasaki showroom and drive away on their fastest bike. I do quite fancy a Piaggio MP3.

[nikaso]

I've not ridden now for about 18 months and I miss it, particularly when the weather improves and you see lots of bikers out enjoying themselves. I can only echo the comments above about other road users. Assume all car drivers are chimps and you won't go too far wrong. Defensive riding is your friend, a couple of times I've had to stop my bike on it's nose when a coffin dodger pulled out in front of me (after looking at me!).

 

I've only come off once and that was while learning, day 1 of my Direct Access I was doing emergency stops in heavy rain, no problem at all! Day 2 however was bone dry, more emergency stops and I managed to lock the front wheel and then spent a few seconds doing a 30 MPH slide down the middle of the road, came away with some very colourful bruising down my hip and thigh but other than that I was fine. I always say it was the best thing that happened to me because it made me more careful.

 

As for gear I'd say textile all the way, leather looks good but you don't want to be wearing it in the rain and as we live in the UK....well I'll let you work that out! I've got a Hein Gericke Hi Viz jacket from their factory seconds shop on ebay and although I look like coco the clown it means everyone can see me coming. See I'm talking like I still ride........

[burnsyb0y]

I did not expect this level of help and to see so many bikers on here

Could any of you tell me if there are any online stores you can recommend for safety/general biking gear?

Or even if you are in bedfordshire/near Luton are there any dealer ships you can recommend for looking at other bikes (my budget is about 800 to find a nice beginner bike, not got much of a clue though).

 

Cheers!

[Andrew_C]

Don't buy your helmet on line. Really; don't! The fit is critical to your comfort, and safety. You'll find that a M in one brand is totally different from a M in another. After you have found one that fits, and is "long term comfortable", then by all means replace it on line.

 

Infinity have both real and virtual stores

Edited February 13, 2014 by Andrew_C

[pcstru]

Or even if you are in bedfordshire/near Luton are there any dealer ships you can recommend for looking at other bikes (my budget is about 800 to find a nice beginner bike, not got much of a clue though).

Flitwick Motorcycles were good to me, but it would just depend what they have in. It's worth having a chat with them though as dealers tend ot trade between themselves if they know what you are looking for. As others have said, never buy your helmet second hand, I'd also avoid online - even if I knew exactly the make, model and size.

 

If you do know what you want and know what to look for in a second hand bike, there's always Motorcycle News, Autotrader or even ebay.

[bushby]

a few tips :

Dont Get caught twice on the same night going at 150 down the motorway.

if your on a cbt keep spare L plates in the bike as they will fall off.

dont stand on the seat in the rain just so your boots dont get water in them.

always get gortex gear as its warm and dry.

and last but not least you lid should be replaced after 3 years for plastic. for carbon fibre 5 years as the structure will be weakened and never go for cheap. (i had a lid cave in around my face after a small accident. on my near paralizing accident i had a 300 shoé helm and that protected me more then any thing)

 

also some of the bigger brands of lids provied a service to have the helm checked over for structural damage after accidents.

[foofighterjim]

Could any of you tell me if there are any online stores you can recommend for safety/general biking gear?

 

I see there is a J & S in Watford: Watford Motorcycle Clothing & Accessories Store

 

They usually have a good range of products.

[burnsyb0y]

I see there is a J & S in Watford: Watford Motorcycle Clothing & Accessories Store

 

They usually have a good range of products.

 

Nice shout, will be sure to go get my stuff there at the weekend, granted they have everything in stock.

Cheers.

[nyiss]

Beware forgetting to cancel your indicators; my instructor nearly got squished when out in front of me.

 

 

I made this mistake on my CBT coming round a mammoth roundabout. My headphones linked to the instructor also failed and I missed a lot of what was said before it got sorted, made no difference though seems you have to do something ridiculous to fail those things!

 

Have a vespa myself, I thought at first riding a push bike would help but its not even similar. Unless your crawling at an incredibly low speed you will only adjust your steering cms each way for the most part.

 

If you are riding in this weather invest in some serious gloves, heated if possible it will be a godsend! It's still a lot of fun in winter so long as you are aware of your limits but come the summer time its the best feeling to be on a bike rather than melting in a stuffy car!

[Oaktech]

Beware forgetting to cancel your indicators; my instructor nearly got squished when out in front of me.

 

It will also fail you a test...

[mthomas08]

It will also fail you a test...

 

Didn't for my CBT.... in fact I thought I would fail it, it wasn't until our drive back was I feeling like I knew what I was doing. It was a hot sunny day and the distractions also noticed by my instructor when he said over the radio "I can look, but you can't".

[Oaktech]

Didn't for my CBT.... in fact I thought I would fail it, it wasn't until our drive back was I feeling like I knew what I was doing. It was a hot sunny day and the distractions also noticed by my instructor when he said over the radio "I can look, but you can't".

 

To be fair, it probably won't on a CBT, it'll make the instructor mention it over the radio and at the debrief. It will definitely fail you a full test though. I know, I did it!

[FragglePete]

I'd echo all the advice here. I've been riding myself for nearly 25 years now, but mainly a fair weather rider these days and stays off the road during the winter months. Currently riding a Suzuki V-Strom DL1000 K6, big V-Twin!!! However, I have for many year ridden year round and whatever weather; it does make you a better rider. Riding a motorcycle makes you a better driver also; your natural instinct on a bike is to look far further ahead than normal (self preservation plays a big part) and this will transfer into driving cars.

 

Learning to ride a motorcycle should be on everyone's bucket list - once it's in your blood you'll never give it up really.

 

Big downside to anyone trying to learn at the moment is the new regulations about what you can learn on, what you can take your test on and at what age. I fully appreciate the efforts to improve riding learning, as you can't just pass your test an jump on a GSX-1000R anymore; but you still can pass your car test and drive a AMG Mercedes straight after - I just think the new age bandings are a bit harsh for new learners.

 

J&S are great for kit, so is M&P - George White used be a great place for cheap (and semi-decent) kit but went belly up a couple years back, it has sort of come back as Motorcycle Helmets, Clothing, Leathers, Jackets, Gloves, Boots and Accessories - Mega Motorcycle Store .

 

If you get into it, and eventually get a big-ish bike - you must go and watch the TT, even visit the Island and do the circuit a few times - it's an experience.

 

Pete

[laserblazer]

When I retire later this year we plan to spend at least some of the winter in the Algarve and I intend to get a 125cc scooter for pottering about. Up to 125cc, they are tax free and insurance is a pittance. Coupled with empty roads, which still have hard shoulders for the "Jerusalem Jeeps" it's a motorcyclist's dream.

[Norphy]

Or even if you are in bedfordshire/near Luton are there any dealer ships you can recommend for looking at other bikes (my budget is about 800 to find a nice beginner bike, not got much of a clue though).

 

Cheers!

 

I have no idea if they're any good but I go past this place in Harpenden on my way home from Luton sometimes:

 

The Two Wheel Centre - New and Previously Owned Bikes Service M.O.T

 

A bit closer than Watford!

[burnsyb0y]

Thought i would keep everyone updated as you have all been so kind and helpful.

I have got the bike now AJS DD125E how ever it will not start i think it is the spark plugs as they are dirty as anything and wont spark against the engine when i tried that.

Also a pipe came off the bottom of the bike the other day and i cant see where i could possibly attach it, but one end looks like it has never been attacked to anything as it has gunk all over it so i am guessing it is some kind of run off.

 

As for clothing, i went to J&S in watford as recommended and bought:

IXS HX-580 Arcon Helmet

Blytz T3 Short Boots

Frank Thomas SEG201 XTI2 Short Sport Glove

J&S Rift trousers

Frank Thomas FTW328 Strada Jacket

(also the people in there are lovely, i told the shop assistant that i am a first time rider and i want the maximum protection gear i can get for £300 and he helped me pick stuff that came over my budget then got the manager to know it down for me)

 

Now just to get the bloody bike running so i can MOT,tax and insure it and get on the road

[foofighterjim]

You certainly have done well on the price!

 

Re the bike, is there a kick starter you can try rather than the electric one? Just rule out any electrical issues.